Device for clamping elongated member

ABSTRACT

A clamping device especially adapted for grounding a plurality of electrically conductive members includes a base having two flat parallel faces and a well formed centrally thereof with side surfaces extending between the flat faces being arcuately shaped. The clamp also includes a cover having a post adapted to be received in the well in the base and two arms depending arcuately from opposite sides of the post. When the post is received in the well, the depending arms of the cover cooperate with the arcuate surfaces of the base to form arcuately shaped openings of generally constant width for receiving the conductive members. Securing facilities are used to draw the post within the well and thereby clamp conductive members inserted in the arcuate openings. The configuration causes equal clamping forces to be applied to each of the plurality of conductive members and also causes shear forces to be applied to the outer surface of each conductive member to remove any undesirable surface layer therefrom and thereby improve the electrical connection between the conductive member and the clamp. The securing facilities include provisions for compensating for relaxation due to plastic flow of the materials of the conductive members over a period of time.

Wllll States Patent [19] [11] 3,924,92

Moscioni et al.. 5] Dec 9, 1975 DEVICE FOR CLAMPING ELONGATED [57] ABSTRACT MEMBER A clamping device especially adapted for groundlng a Inventors: Rlchald P P Moscioni, Llnden; plurality of electrically conductive members includes a Gerald Mluel Warren, both base having two flat parallel faces and a well formed of centrally thereof with side surfaces extending between [73] Assigneez Western Electric Company, Inc. the flat faces bemg arcuately shaped. The clamp also New York, includes a cover having a post adapted to be received in the well in the base and two arms depending arcu- [22] F 118d: June 1974 ately from opposite sides of the post. When the post is [21] Appl' No: 477,709 received in the well, the depending arms of the cover cooperate with the arcuate surfaces of the base to form arcuately shaped openings of generally constant US. n for receiving the conductive members Securing [5 lilt- Cl. facilities are used to draw the post within the well and Field of Search 249, thereby clamp conductive members inserted in the ar 339/263 cuate openings. The configuration causes equal clamping forces to be applied to each of the plurality References Cited of conductive members and also causes shear forces to UNITED STATES PATENTS be applied to the outer surface of each conductive 812,287 2/1906 Nagel 339/246 member to remove y undesirable Surface layer 1,954,587 4/1934 339/246 therefrom and thereby improve the electrical connec- 2,422,332 6/1947 Becker..... 339/246 tion between the conductive member and the clamp. 2,795,770 6/1957 Toedtman 339/246 The securing facilities include provisions for compen- 3,026,497 3/1962 Myers et al. 339/246 gating for r l ti d t l ti fl f h t i.

als of the conductive members over a period of time. Primary Examiner-J0seph H. McGlynn Attorney, Agent, or FirmE. W. Somers 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 sheet 1 of 2 3,924,920

v LOAD FIG 4 FIG. 5

US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,924,920

DEVICE FOR CLAMPING ELONGATED MEMBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device for clamping an elongated member and, more particularly, to a device for holding securely each of a plurality of electrical conductors with provisions for establishing excellent electrical contact between the device and the electrical conductors.

2. Technical Considerations and the Prior Art A properly grounded metal shield in telephone cables performs a variety of important functions. Some of these are protection of installers from injury and equipment from damage if a live power line should fall and contact the cable, protection from electrostatic pickup due to power line voltage, protection from lightning, suppression of radio frequency pickup, and reduction of crosstalk coupling between pairs.

The metal shield also provides physical protection of the cable core and acts as a barrier to moisture penetration. Some of the above-listed functions of the cable shield are shared by the strand of an aerial cable. Electrically, the importance of the strand is in direct proportion to its conductivity relative to the cable shield.

Telephone cable line noise is also reduced by good bonding and grounding of the cable shield. The ability of the cable shield to reduce noise and protect personnel and equipment improves as resistance and impedance of ground connections to earth are lowered. To obtain shielding from power-line-induced noise, both ends of the cable shield must be grounded and all shield openings bonded. There is a need for clamping devices for use inside telephone communications cable closures.

Particular cables, for example, a service cable which is run from the telephone pole' to the subscribers premises, are constructed with an aluminum shield. Laboratory testing has revealed an undesirably high probability of failure of the grounding system of service wire due to corrosion when using bronze clamps for ground ing aluminum shielded service cable. The failures occur even more rapidly in environments of high moisture, humidity and saline content.

It is believed that clamping devices for use with this type cable should also be made of aluminum material. The use of aluminum clamps greatly reduces the potential for failure since these are compatible with the material from which the service cable shield is constructed. Moreover, testing has also revealed that the aluminum clamp has a favorable long life when used to ground cable that is constructed with a bronze shield as occurs in some filled service cable.

Additional consideration must be given to grounding clamp devices in that provisions must be made for maintaining the compression on the conductors, notwithstanding the cold flow of the plastic insulation with.

conductors in a cable closure with provisions for applying substantially equal clamping forces to each of the cables or conductors.

The prior art includes wire clamp devices. For exam-' ple, see U.S. Pat. No. 1,654,838 in which there is shown a branch terminal for overhead lines which includes clamping jaws with one of the jaws being of a wedge shape and composed of several ribs in order to insure a better clamping action. The other one of the clamping jaws is formed with apertures designed to accommodate the ribs of the one jaw. A clamping screw preferably arranged in a transverse longitudinal slot of the one clamping jaw is designed to regulate a mutual displacement of the clamping jaws in a transverse direction. The device shown in the aforementioned patent may accommodate conductors of different crosssections. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,979,091 and 3,238,495.

The prior art also includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,591 which shows an electrical draw-bolt type connector with a constant load washer. This patent relates to aluminum connectors for aluminum conductors and includes provisions for minimizing a loss of contact pressure due to the relatively large creep factor associated with such conductors. This is accomplished by use of a Belleville-spring washer designed to approximate a characteristic load deflection curve.

The prior art also shows a test. clamp (see U.S. Pat. No. 812,287) and a connector (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,629,806), referred to as a mid-span connector, for mechanically and electrically connecting one or more tap lines to one phase of a system.

There still appears to be a need in the art for an easily manufacturable grounding clamp device which will accommodate'a plurality of conductors with the application of equal forces to each one thereof. Moreover, such a device desirably would include provisions for obtaining excellent electrical contact when used with conductors on which may be formed electrically resistant material layers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A device for clamping an elongated member constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention includes an externally facing arcuately-shaped surface and a cover adapted to be secured to the base and having an arcuately formed surface complementary to the arcuately formed surface of the base such that when the cover is secured to the base, the arcuately shaped surfaces form a generally elongated arcuately shaped opening ofsubstantially constant width capable of receiving an end portion of an elongated member with the end portion received between the complementary surfaces beingessentially linear. Facilities are provided for securing the cover to the base to clamp each elongated member-which causes shearing forces to be applied to each elongated member inserted in the arcuately shaped opening to abrade portions of the surfaces thereof and for causing substantially equal forces to be applied to each elongated member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features of the present invention will be more readily understoodfrom the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device' constructed-in accordance with the principles of this invention for grounding one or more electrical conductors;

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing deflections vs. load for a particular type washer which is included in the facilities for securing together the component parts of the device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the environment in which the device embodying the 'principles of this invention is used;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged detail view of the encircled portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the device of FIG. 1 and showing plural cables or conductors inserted in the device prior to the clamping thereof;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged detail view showing shear forces being applied to the surface of one of the conductor members during the securing together of the elements of the device; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the device of FIG. 1 and showing the conductive members subsequent to the securing together of the elements of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a device, designated generally by the numeral 10, for clamping and electrically grounding a plurality of conductive members 1111 (see FIG. 5A). The device includes a base, designated generally by the numeral 12, and a cover, designated generally by the numeral 13, which are fastened together by securing facilities, designated generally by the numeral 14. i

As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 12, which is made from an extruded aluminum material, includes a well 16 formed centrally thereof and extending from one flat face 17 (see FIG. 3) to another flat face 18 thereof. The base 12 is also formed to have a flat outwardly facing surface 19. Arcuately-shaped side surfaces 2020 extend from edges of the opening 16 and terminate in retroflexed portions 2121 adjacent the surface 19.

The cover 13, which is also made from extruded aluminum, includes a center post 22 from which depends arcuately-shaped portions 2323. The cover 13 is constructed so that the central post 22 thereof is designed to be received within the well 16 formed in the base 13.

Moreover, the cover 13 is constructed so that when the post 22 is assembled to the base 12, the arcuately shaped depending portions 23-23 cooperate with v the complementary side surfaces 2020 of the base to form arcuately, regularly-shaped, openings 2424 (see FIG. 2). The openings 2424 are formed symmetrically about a centerline through the post'22. Each of the openings 2424 extend from the post toward the flat top portion 19 of the base 12 and is generally of a constant width.

Advantageously, the retroflexed portions 2121 bridge the gap between the main body portion of the base 12 and the free ends of the depending portions 23-23. This completes the peripheries of the openings 2424 (see FIG. 2), and prevents any of the conductors 11-l1 received therein from being moved from between the base 12 and cover 13 with possible partial loss of electrical contact.

The securing facilities 14 includes a bolt 26 having a head 27 and a threaded end 28. The securing facilities 14 further includes a Belleville washer 29 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). In order to fasten the post 22 to the base 12, the base is provided with a threaded opening 31 (see FIG. 2) formed centrally thereof and aligned with a threaded opening 32 formed in the post. In this way,

4 the bolt 26 may be turned threadably through the aligned openings 31 and 32 to secure together the cover 13 and the base 12.

In some commercially available tensioning washers, deflection is proportional to load. If the contact pressure is relaxed, the follow-up pressure is rapidly reduced as the device expands. This results in a reduced contact pressure, particularly in conductors having a high creep factor, such as aluminum conductors.

The Belleville-spring washer 29 is designed to overcome these difficulties and is well described in US. Pat. No. 2,77l,59l. It is designed so that its characteristic load-deflection curve shown in FIG. 4 does not follow Hookes law and beyond a certain rising knee portion K, the load does not substantially change with deflection over a desired range. Beyond this range, the curve generally again rises steeply.

When the washer 29 is in the undeflected shape, such as is shown in FIG. 6, with the securing bolt 26 not tightened, conditions are as indicated at the origin of the curve, i.e., there is no load and no deflection on the washer 29. Then as the bolt 26 is tightened, the washer 29 deflects and is caused to flatten into an intermediate position (see FIG. 7). This corresponds to a movement along the load deflection curve beyond the initial relatively steep-rising portion K and on the generally flat portion F to perhaps a location at, for example, L. This condition results in an increase in conductor area contact as indicated in FIG. 7. Then, if relaxation should occur in the material of the conductor 1 1, there will be a follow-up pressure. This occurs because, as the deflection in each washer 29 decreases, the load is well maintained instead of falling off as would be the case if no washers were used under the bolt head 27, or if ordinary loading springs, or spring-like washers were used, or none at all.

The washers 29-29 may be composed of a suitable spring material such as spring steel, Phosphor bronze, beryllium copper or the like, having a high elastic limit since the internal stresses set up in washers of this type are considerable. It will also be understood that the inside diameter of the washer 29 is such that the bodies of the bolts 2626 pass freely through them, and'allow free flattening movements without interference between the insides of the washers and the threaded bolt shanks.

Mention has been made that the cover 13 and the base 12 are constructed from extruded aluminum. This material was used as a result of extensive studies of galvanic corrosion.

Galvanic corrosion, sometimes referred to as electrochemical corrosion, is that form of corrosion which deals with the contact of dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte, the electrolyte being necessary as the transport media of ions. All metals have a tendency to corrode, some more than others, and some to nearly undetectable amounts. Metals which are more highly corrosive galvanically are said to be more anodic and metals which exhibit more galvanically passive tendencies are termed more cathodic than others. The

corrosion of metals used for electrical contact surfaces is unfavorable since corroded or oxidized layers act as inhibitors to electron flow or, more conventionally, act as dielectrics.

The first step in selecting an electrical contact material would be to select one with the most cathodic tendency. Cost availability and producibility would be complementary considerations. The next most important consideration would be the entire system through which the electrical continuity is designed.

In the case of shield continuity for service cable, galvanic considerations are an absolute necessity. Much of the grounding of the shield, which is generally constructed of aluminum, is accomplished above ground and in humid climates, both coastal and inland. The coastal condensates are more conducive to galvanic corrosion as they contain a high salt content and consequently provide a more highly conductive, and there fore corrosive, electrolyte. Aluminum, when coupled with copper alloys in coastal climates, has exhibited damage. This occurs because the aluminum is anodic to the copper.

Another galvanic consideration in the grounding of service cable shields is the cathode-to-anode area ratio. Using bronze clamps to ground the aluminum shield has led to the determination that the cathodic area of the bronze is considerably larger than the anodic area of the aluminum shield. The bronze clamps, which function as a cathode used to ground the aluminum shield, which functions as an anode, are much larger in mass and surface area, thus creating an unfavorably large cathode-to-anode area ratio.

Since oxidation must balance with reduction for any current flow, the current density of the anode will be much greater than the cathode if the anode is smaller. Therefore, the anode will corrode at a highly accelerated rate and, in this case, the aluminum will be oxidized at a rapid rate. Electrical continuity will be nonexistent in a shorter time period than if the metal from which the clamp is constructed had been more electrochemically compatible with the metal from which the shield is constructed.

It is because the shield used in service cable and other cable products is generally constructed of aluminum, that the choice of an aluminum clamp is made. There has been some belief that aluminum is not a good electrical contact material because it forms a surface oxide layer upon exposure to the atmosphere, with the oxide layer tending to behave as a dielectric. On the contrary, this should not lead to the conclusion that aluminum is not a good conductor nor that it is highly corrosive. Aluminum is a good conductor of electrical current and the spontaneous oxide layer is beneficial in slowing corrosion and, in fact, imparts corrosion-resistant properties to the aluminum.

METHOD OF USE Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an environment in which a device which embodies the principles of this invention may be used. A cable closure 40, as may commonly be seen extending above ground in residential areas, includes an internally mounted strap 41 to which are attached ones of the devices 1010 to provide a grounding connection for conductors 1 l-11 (see FIG. 5A).

The conductors 11*11 may be in the form of wires or may be small telephone service cables as hereinbefore described and having a metallic shield wrapped about a core with a jacket covering the shield. In use, the jacket is removed from an end portion of the service cable to expose the shield which is generally constructed of aluminum.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown one of the devices 10- 10 in which the cover 13 is received initially in outer portions of the well 16 of the base 12 with the bolt 26 turned partially into the threaded opening 32 of the post 22. Then the conductors 111l, which are to be grounded, are inserted into the openings 2424 formed between the arcuate surfaces 20-20 and 23-23 and in engagement generally with the depending portions. As can best be seen in FIG. 5A the end portions of the conductors; 1l11 within the openings 2424 are essentially linear. An installer turns the bolt 26 with the Belleville-washer 29 interposed be tween the head thereof and the strap 41 (see FIG. 5A) to draw the post 22 within the well 16 and thereby secure together the cover 13 and the base 12 (see FIG. 7).

The device 10 is suitable for a wide range of applications. Conductors 1111 or just one conductor 11 may be inserted into only one of the openings 2424. The device 10 may accommodate a wide range of gauge sizes and is constructed so that when the post 22 is in the outer portion of the well 16, the arcuate openings 24-24 are capable of receiving end portions of the very largest anticipated gauge size conductor 11.

Also of major importance is the consideration of the oxide layer thickness and the type of electrical contact in the application as required. It has been found that the application of abrasive forces can easily break through the surface oxide layer on the conductors l111 or the clamp device It). For example, forceful clamping of aluminum-to-aluminum can rupture the oxide layer, especially if shear forces are present. This is exactly what occurs with respect to the aluminum shield, for example, in using the device 10 to ground telephone service cable. The application of the grounding clamp device 10 does not involve light contact, but rather clamping forces on the order of 400 pounds compression when using a standard field tool with upwards of 20 inch-pounds of torque.

As can be seen in FIG. 6A, the turning of the bolt 26 into the threaded openings 3E and 32 and drawing of the post 22 into the well 16 causes shear forces to be applied to the conductors 1111. The shear forces are caused by the relative motion as between the arcuatelyformed surfaces 20 and 23. The application of the shear forces tend to abrade off or fracture apart the oxide layers on the conductors lib-l1 while causing flattening of the conductors to provide greater electrical contact area.

Another ,advantage accrues to the grounding clamp device 10 embodying the principles of this invention. The unique configuration of the depending portions 23--23 of the cover 13 and of the side surfaces of the base 12 to form the elongated arcuate openings 24-24 of generally constant width provide for the application of equal clamping forces to each of the elongated members which are received within those openings. This is advantageous in that the pull-out of any one conductor 11 because of unequal clamping is almost an impossibility. The versatility of this clamping device is enhanced by these advantages of equal clamping forces and the shear force destruction of the aluminum oxide layer which may be built up on the conductors lit-11.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the invention. Other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for clamping at least one elongated member, which includes:

a base having an arcuately shaped surface;

a cover adapted to be secured to the base and having an arcuately-shaped surface complementary to the arcuately formed surface of the base when the cover is secured to the base to form a generally elongated arcuately shaped opening having a substantially constant width for receiving an end portion of at least one elongated member with the end portion of the elongated member between the complementary surfaces being essentially linear; and

means securing the cover to the base for causing forces to be applied to each elongated member inserted into the arcuately shaped opening to abrade portions of the surfaces of each member and for causing substantially equal clamping forces to be applied to each elongated member, the end portion of each elongated member remaining essentially linear after the cover has been secured to the base.

2. The device of claim 1, which is suitable for clamping elongated members having an exposed outwardly facing surface made of a metallic material, wherein the arcuately shaped surfaces defining the arcuately shaped opening are made from a metallic material and the forces which abrade the surface of each elongated member cause suitable metal-to-metal contact to be es tablished between the device and each elongated member.

3. A device for holding securely at least one elongated member, which includes:

a cover having a post extending between two substantially parallel surfaces and having an arcuately shaped portion depending from each of two opposing sides of the post, each of the depending portions being of a substantially constant width generally equal to the distance between the two parallel surfaces;

a base having two parallel surfaces spaced apart a distance generally equal to the distance between the parallel surfaces of the cover and having a well formed centrally thereof for receiving the post, the well extending between and communicating with the two parallel surfaces of the base, and further having arcuately shaped surfaces disposed symmetrically about the well and extending laterally between and normally of the two parallel surfaces at the base, the arcuately shaped surfaces being matched substantially in contour to the arcuatelyshaped depending portions of the cover, the mounting of the post within the well causing the arcuately shaped depending portions of the cover and the arcuate surfaces of the base to form arcuatelyshaped openings of at least a minimum substantially constant width symmetrically disposed about the post for accommodating an end portion of at least one elongated member such that the end portion of each elongated member extends substantially linearly within the opening;

means drawing the post within the well to secure the cover to the base for applying equal clamping forces to each of the elongated members received within the openings while compensating for inelastic deformation in each of the elongated members, the clamping of each of the elongated members causing the walls of the arcuately shaped openings to apply shearing forces to the surfaces of the end portion of each elongated member to abrade the surfaces thereof, the end portions of the elongated members within the openings remaining essentially linear after the cover has been secured to the base.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein each of the elongated members has at least an outwardly facing surface made from an electrically conductive material, the surfaces defining the arcuately shaped openings are made from a metallic material, and the abrading establishes suitable metal-to-metal electrical contact between each of the elongated members and the surfaces defining the arcuate openings.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the part of the base opposite the open end of the well is formed with portions thereof which project laterally toward the associated depending portion of the cover to close each of the arcuately shaped openings to retain the elongated members therein.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the depth of the well in the base and the height of the post of the cover are such that when the post is bottomed within the well, each of the arcuately-shaped openings have a minimum width.

7. A device for clamping at least one elongated member, which includes:

a base having an arcuately shaped surface which extends between and substantially normally of two substantially parallel spaced surfaces;

a cover adapted to be secured to the base and having an arcuately-shaped surface which extends between and substantially normally of two substantially parallel surfaces spaced apart a distance substantially equal to that between the spaced parallel surfaces of the cover and which is complementary to the arcuately shaped surface of the base when the cover is secured to the base to form a generally elongated arcuately shaped opening of at least a minimum substantially constant width and extending substantially linearly between and communicating with the parallel surfaces for receiving an end portion of at least one elongated member with the end portion of the elongated member between the complementary surfaces extending substantially linearly between the parallel surfaces; and

means securing the cover to the base and cooperating with the complementary surfaces for causing forces to be applied to each elongated member inserted into the arcuately shaped opening to abrade portions of the surfaces of the end portion of each elongated member and for causing substantially equal clamping forces to be applied to each elongated member inserted into the opening.

8. A device for holding securely and for having portions thereof engaged electrically with at least one conductor, which includes:

mating first and second parts having complementary arcuately formed surfaces which extend between and normally of two externally facing surfaces of the mating parts and which upon mating of the parts form an arcuately shaped opening of a substantially constant width to facilitate the insertion of an end portion of at least one conductor substantially linearly between the surfaces, at least the portions of the first and second parts which form the arcuate surfaces being made of an electrically con- I ductive material; and

means for securing together the parts for applying substantially equal clamping forces to each of the conductors received within the opening while compensating for inelastic deformation in each of the conductors, the inserted endportions remaining substantially linear after the clamping forces have 3,924,920 9 10 been applied thereto, the complementary arcuately formed surfaces being caused by the securing means to apply shearing forces to the surface of the Surfaces the Conductor at least one conductor to abrade the surface and thereby insure electrical engagement of the arcuate 

1. A device for clamping at least one elongated member, which includes: a base having an arcuately shaped surface; a cover adapted to be secured to the base and having an arcuately-shaped surface complementary to the arcuately formed surface of the base when the cover is secured to the base to form a generally elongated arcuately shaped opening having a substantially constant width for receiving an end portion of at least one elongated member with the end portion of the elongated member between the complementary surfaces being essentially linear; and means securing the cover to the base for causing forces to be applied to each elongated member inserted into the arcuately shaped opening to abrade portions of the surfaces of each member and for causing substantially equal clamping forces to be applied to each elongated member, the end portion of each elongated member remaining essentially linear after the cover has been secured to the base.
 2. The device of claim 1, which is suitable for clamping elongated members having an exposed outwardly facing surface made of a metallic material, wherein the arcuately shaped surfaces defining the arcuately shaped opening are made from a metallic material and the forces which abrade the surface of each elongated member cause suitable metal-to-metal contact to be established between the device and each elongated member.
 3. A device for holding securely at least one elongated member, which includes: a cover having a post extending between two substantially parallel surfaces and having an arcuately shaped portion depending from each of two opposing sides of the post, each of the depending portions being of a substantially constant width generally equal to the distance between the two parallel surfaces; a base having two parallel surfaces spaced apart a distance generally equal tO the distance between the parallel surfaces of the cover and having a well formed centrally thereof for receiving the post, the well extending between and communicating with the two parallel surfaces of the base, and further having arcuately shaped surfaces disposed symmetrically about the well and extending laterally between and normally of the two parallel surfaces at the base, the arcuately shaped surfaces being matched substantially in contour to the arcuately-shaped depending portions of the cover, the mounting of the post within the well causing the arcuately shaped depending portions of the cover and the arcuate surfaces of the base to form arcuatelyshaped openings of at least a minimum substantially constant width symmetrically disposed about the post for accommodating an end portion of at least one elongated member such that the end portion of each elongated member extends substantially linearly within the opening; means drawing the post within the well to secure the cover to the base for applying equal clamping forces to each of the elongated members received within the openings while compensating for inelastic deformation in each of the elongated members, the clamping of each of the elongated members causing the walls of the arcuately shaped openings to apply shearing forces to the surfaces of the end portion of each elongated member to abrade the surfaces thereof, the end portions of the elongated members within the openings remaining essentially linear after the cover has been secured to the base.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein each of the elongated members has at least an outwardly facing surface made from an electrically conductive material, the surfaces defining the arcuately shaped openings are made from a metallic material, and the abrading establishes suitable metal-to-metal electrical contact between each of the elongated members and the surfaces defining the arcuate openings.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the part of the base opposite the open end of the well is formed with portions thereof which project laterally toward the associated depending portion of the cover to close each of the arcuately shaped openings to retain the elongated members therein.
 6. The device of claim 3, wherein the depth of the well in the base and the height of the post of the cover are such that when the post is bottomed within the well, each of the arcuately-shaped openings have a minimum width.
 7. A device for clamping at least one elongated member, which includes: a base having an arcuately shaped surface which extends between and substantially normally of two substantially parallel spaced surfaces; a cover adapted to be secured to the base and having an arcuately-shaped surface which extends between and substantially normally of two substantially parallel surfaces spaced apart a distance substantially equal to that between the spaced parallel surfaces of the cover and which is complementary to the arcuately shaped surface of the base when the cover is secured to the base to form a generally elongated arcuately shaped opening of at least a minimum substantially constant width and extending substantially linearly between and communicating with the parallel surfaces for receiving an end portion of at least one elongated member with the end portion of the elongated member between the complementary surfaces extending substantially linearly between the parallel surfaces; and means securing the cover to the base and cooperating with the complementary surfaces for causing forces to be applied to each elongated member inserted into the arcuately shaped opening to abrade portions of the surfaces of the end portion of each elongated member and for causing substantially equal clamping forces to be applied to each elongated member inserted into the opening.
 8. A device for holding securely and for having portions thereof engaged electrically with at least one conductor, which includes: mating first and second parts having complementary arcUately formed surfaces which extend between and normally of two externally facing surfaces of the mating parts and which upon mating of the parts form an arcuately shaped opening of a substantially constant width to facilitate the insertion of an end portion of at least one conductor substantially linearly between the surfaces, at least the portions of the first and second parts which form the arcuate surfaces being made of an electrically conductive material; and means for securing together the parts for applying substantially equal clamping forces to each of the conductors received within the opening while compensating for inelastic deformation in each of the conductors, the inserted end portions remaining substantially linear after the clamping forces have been applied thereto, the complementary arcuately formed surfaces being caused by the securing means to apply shearing forces to the surface of the at least one conductor to abrade the surface and thereby insure electrical engagement of the arcuate surfaces with the conductor. 